New approach for treating recurrent prostate cancer on the horizon

The study compared two different types of radiopeptides. One group of mice was injected with 213 Bi-DOTA-PESIN, which emits alpha particles that are effective at killing cancer cells. The other group was injected with beta-emitting 177 Lu-DOTA-PESIN, which are also effective in tumor cell-killing, but can also cause damage to nearby healthy cells. Alpha particles are able to kill cancer cells without damaging surrounding healthy tissue. A third group of mice received no treatment.

However, at the maximum tolerated dose, the alpha-emitting 213 Bi-DOTA PESIN was significantly more effective, tripling the survival rate of the mice that received the therapy. The results indicate that the alpha-emitting radiopeptide could provide a new approach for treating prostate cancer and eventually other types of cancer.

Scientific Paper 38: D. Wild, M. Frischknecht, A. Morgenstern, F. Bruchertseifer, J. Boisclair, A. Provencher-Bolliger, H. Maecke, Division of Radiological Chemistry, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland, Novartis Pharma, SP&A/Investigative and Regulatory Pathology, Basel, Switzerland, and the Institute of Transuranium Elements, Karlsruhe, Germany, "An alpha-particle emitting radiopeptide (213Bi-DOTA-PESIN) for therapy of prostate cancer," SNM's 56th Annual Meeting, June 13-17, 2009.

About SNM—Advancing Molecular Imaging and Therapy

SNM is an international scientific and medical organization dedicated to raising public awareness about what molecular imaging is and how it can help provide patients with the best health care possible. SNM members specialize in molecular imaging, a vital element of today's medical practice that adds an additional dimension to diagnosis, changing the way common and devastating diseases are understood and treated.

SNM's more than 17,000 members set the standard for molecular imaging and nuclear medicine practice by creating guidelines, sharing information through journals and meetings and leading advocacy on key issues that affect molecular imaging and therapy research and practice. For more information, visit www.snm.org.